Table of contents for Issue 357 - May 2025 in MiniMag

Welcome to MiniMag’s May issue - packed with powerful stories, sky-high journeys and a kick of adventure! This month, we take to the skies with migrating birds - feathered flyers that travel thousands of kilometres to find food, raise chicks and survive the seasons. Speaking of bird moms, May is also the month to celebrate all amazing moms, including our brave bird mothers who build nests, feed chicks and protect their little ones like true superheroes. If you're in the mood for action, you'll love the new movie "Karate Kid: Legends". Get ready to be inspired by young martial artists who show strength, focus and heart - not so different from those tough mother birds! In EasyScience, we dive into how science solves everyday problems - from getting gum out…

Twice a year, something amazing happens in the skies – millions of birds take flight on epic journeys across the globe! World Migratory Bird Day celebrates these feathered travellers and reminds us to protect their habitats. In 2025, the special days fall on 10 May and 11 October. This year’s theme, “Creating Bird-Friendly Cities & Communities”, encourages us to make our towns safer for birds - by planting trees, protecting green spaces, and turning off unnecessary lights at night. Look up, listen closely, and join the worldwide mission to keep our skies full of song!…

Notre Dame isn’t just a building – she’s a symbol of Paris, a home of history, and a true masterpiece of architecture. For over 800 years, Notre Dame Cathedral has stood proudly on an island in the middle of the River Seine, welcoming millions of visitors who come to marvel at her towers, windows and secrets. Even after the terrible fire in 2019, Notre Dame remains strong, with a full restoration bringing her back to life. Let’s step inside this iconic treasure and discover her magic! A cathedral that took two centuries to build Construction began in 1163, and it took nearly 200 years to complete! Builders worked through the centuries using stone, wood and stained glass to create one of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals. That’s longer than a…

KARATE KID: LEGENDS unites the iconic martial arts masters of one of the most beloved film franchises of all time to tell a completely new story full of action and heart. When kung fu prodigy Li Fong relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han, and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso, Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.…

Climate change will bring about changes in temperature and rainfall distribution, which in turn will affect both the functioning and boundaries of ecosystems. Some ecosystems will expand into new areas, while others will shrink, and the habitats they contain will alter. Unless species are rapidly able to adapt there is likely to be a sharp increase in extinction rates. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony. Biodiversity remains the answer to a number of sustainable development challenges that we all face. From nature-based solutions to climate, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity remains the basis for a sustainable future. Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air and help combat climate change.…

But wait – what’s that? A penguin?! It looks like this little traveller took a wrong turn at the South Pole and waddled into the jungle instead! Maybe it mistook the dense jungle mist for Antarctic snow. Can you spot this chilly adventurer among the jungle animals? Happy hunting! The following animals do not typically live in a jungle: TURTLES are found in various habitats, including freshwater rivers, lakes, oceans, and even deserts, but they are not jungle dwellers. While PEACOCKS are often seen in forests and open woodlands, they are more common in grasslands and cultivated areas rather than dense jungles. Peacocks (or more correctly, peafowl) originally lived in the forests and grasslands of South Asia, particularly in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. The most well-known species, the Indian…

Did you pack your jumper or your sweater? Are you going to the cinema or the movies? If you’ve ever felt a little puzzled reading a book or watching a show from another country, you’re not alone! CLUES Find the American English word for these British words: ACROSS: 1. Apartment 5. Eggplant 8. Sweater 14. Trash can 16. Trunk (of a car) 17. Truck 19. Eraser 22. Pants 23. Sneakers 25. Garbage 27. Elevator 28. Pacifier (for a baby) 29. French fries 30. Potato chips DOWN: 1. Soccer 2. Faucet 3. Gas 4. Mail 6. Diaper 7. Restroom 9. Math 10. Hood (of a car) 11. Closet 12. Drugstore / Pharmacy 13. Yard 15. Candy 18. Flashlight 20. Cookies 21. Vacation 24. Mad (angry) 26. Mom English may be spoken…

"The best fighter is never angry."– LAO TZU Martial arts have been practiced for thousands of years, blending physical skill with mental discipline. Originally developed for self-defence, these ancient fighting styles have evolved into modern sports that build strength, focus and confidence. From the disciplined katas of karate to the fast-paced kicks of taekwondo, martial arts offer something for everyone! Martial arts are not just about punching and kicking – they teach important life skills, too! Students learn respect, patience and perseverance. Here are some benefits of training in martial arts: • Self-discipline – Following strict training routines helps develop focus and self-control. • Confidence – Learning new techniques and earning higher belts boosts self-esteem. • Fitness – Martial arts improve flexibility, balance, strength and endurance. • Self-defence – Knowing…

Imagine a city where the streets shine like the sun, the houses are made of gold, and treasure lies in every corner. Sounds like a video game level, right? But hundreds of years ago, brave explorers believed such a place was real. They called it El Dorado – which means “The Gilded One” in Spanish. But was El Dorado ever a real city, or just a shiny story that grew bigger and wilder over time? How the legend began The story of El Dorado started in South America during the 1500s. The Spanish had just arrived and were searching for riches. They heard tales from Indigenous people about a king so rich he covered himself in gold dust during ceremonies and washed it off in a sacred lake. This “golden…

You may have heard of ticks and mites, but did you know they’re not insects? These tiny creatures belong to a different group called arachnids, just like spiders and scorpions! They may be small, but they have big impacts on nature – and sometimes on us too. Let’s take a closer look at these eight-legged critters and discover why they’re such fascinating (and sometimes annoying) creatures! TICKS: Bloodsucking hitchhikers Ticks are best known as parasites, meaning they survive by feeding on the blood of animals and humans. Unlike fleas that jump, ticks wait on grass or leaves for a passing host and latch on with their specialised mouthparts. Some ticks can even transmit diseases, like Lyme disease, making them a concern for both pets and people. MITES: The mighty miniatures…

Bees don’t build round houses or square ones. They build hexagons – a shape with 6 equal sides and angles of 120º. Why? Because hexagons: • Fit together with no gaps (that’s called tessellation), • Use less wax to hold more honey, • And are super strong and stable! GAMI’S CHALLENGE: Can you draw a mini honeycomb using hexagons? Count how many fit in a row. How many in 3 rows? Try calculating the total number of sides too! Honey homes Fill in the correct number in the empty spaces so all equations (in each diagonal and straight line) are correct. Turn to page 33 for all the solutions! BEE BRILLIANCE Welcome to the hive, mini-mathemagicians! Did you know bees are some of the best mathematicians in the animal kingdom?…